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This has made enlightening (if slightly worrying) reading for someone about to embark on their NQT year. I'm at the start of my language teaching career and have lots to learn, but it seems to me that what you say is spot on, particularly that ours is a utalitarian age. It seems to me that the current system of education is functional, mechanical and obsessed with achievement of targets - but achievement at the expense of an educational experience providing opportunity for enrichment, enjoyment and learning for the sake of learning. I accept that not all children will love the study of languages per se but it seems to me that today's learners are all TOO aware of targets, levels of attainment and focused all too young on the ultimate goal of 'getting a good job'. It seems to me that the pertinent questions are twofold: first, how to get the government to place higher value on the study of languages and second, how to attract children to languages at age 14 in the meantime - perhaps a detailed study of what motivates our current learners and an action plan based on this would help? My experiences are very limited and I'm trying to become as informed as I can about language-teaching and the current state of affairs so thanks for an interesting and incisive read!

Thanks for the comment. I really hope you are not put off at all! But I do hope you find yourself in departments where the latest initiatives are kept in perspective and where the focus is on good lessons, hard work and enjoyment. Best of luck for your NQT year. Do get in touch via frenchteacher.net if you need any advice.

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